Are fresh vegetables better than frozen?

frozen veruss fresh vegetables

Most opinions are that fresh vegetables are better than frozen ones. But is this always true? I did some research and came up with this.

The truth is, it depends on the vegetable and the way it is frozen. Some vegetables are better frozen fresh.

For example, broccoli loses a lot of its nutritional value when it is boiled. However, if you freeze broccoli raw, the nutrients will be preserved.

Other vegetables are better frozen after they have been cooked. For example, spinach is high in iron, but it loses a lot of this nutrient when it is cooked.

If you freeze spinach after cooking, you will still get the benefits of iron. Also, potatoes are starchier when they are boiled. If you freeze them after boiling, the starch will turn into sugar, and the potato will taste sweeter.

So the question remains. Are fresh vegetables better than frozen? It depends on what type of vegetable you are talking about.

Additionally, fresh vegetables are usually better than frozen ones because freezing the veggies will destroy some of their nutrients.

Flash Freezing

But this doesn’t mean that all frozen vegetables are bad for you. Frozen veggies would still provide good amounts of essential nutrients like protein and fiber if they were flash-frozen at their peak freshness directly after being harvested from the ground or picked off a tree. 

Many of the online complete meal delivery services are like the ones you can find here. use flash freezing to ensure the best freshness.

Flash-freezing quickly drops their temperature to 0°F (-18°C) or below so fast that large ice crystals can’t form inside the cells, which preserves most of their taste and nutrition (just as long as you don’t overcook them).

frozen food

Fresh in the store?

But with most vegetables you buy at the market, they’re picked weeks or months before they arrive in your supermarket. They’re then typically placed in cold storage — a process that allows their flavor to deteriorate while their nutrients are breaking down into basic amino acids, sugars, and fatty acids. 

Related read: https://couchpotatodelivery.com/why-you-should-eat-more-vegetables/

These days there’s also the issue of food poisoning from harmful bacteria growing on fresh produce between harvesting and consumption. Preservatives can slow this process down but not halt it completely. That’s why some people believe frozen veggies to be better than fresh ones.

As for frozen vegetables that have been pre-packaged by the grocery store, these are not always an option. Oftentimes, these vegetables are high in sodium and other preservatives. It is always best to check the label before buying and check your online ordering as soon as it arrives.

Frozen vegetables are a great way to have fresh vegetables all year round. They are also a great way to save money because they are often cheaper than fresh vegetables. Just be sure to select the right vegetables for freezing and to follow the correct freezing instructions. With a little bit of preparation, you can enjoy fresh vegetables all year long!

What Does Science Say?

I found a video from a university and here is their opinion.

Fresh versus frozen vegetables – My Opinion

In conclusion, some vegetables are better frozen fresh, and others are better frozen after they have been cooked. It is important to inspect the package before buying any pre-packaged vegetables at the store.

Sources

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/fresh-vs-frozen-fruit-and-vegetables

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/fresh-or-frozen-produce-the-health-benefit-is-all-in-the-mix

Photo of author

Peter Jameson

Peter Jameson is passionate about eating healthy food. While he is doing his search for this, he will share that with the Couch Potato Delivery's readers. As an experienced home cook, he knows what to look for in the food delivery services he reviews. You can find more about him here.